The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 307: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE GATHERING OF A STORM 281 come next Febiverry, and have had a pretty long run of it. Ah! and I have seen a many strange things, too, a blessed many things, Mr. Coffin.” ‘““ No doubt of it,” he answered. ‘‘ But come, let us drink to a better understanding betwixt us. I recollect I threw a, shilling at you once and called you an old beldame. I was very wrong, but I only did itin fun. There’s no harm in me. I am as innocent and as quiet as any lamb, though perhaps I don’t look much like one.”’ Mother Franklin stared at him as if, indeed, she thought that he was very far from having a lamblike appearance, and there was something in her look which Coffin did not fancy, for it seemed to confirm the dark suspicions which Bencull’s information had already engendered. ‘“‘ Howsomever,” he continued, affecting a jocular mood, “if I flung you a shilling once and called you an old beldame, I now toss you a guinea and call you a dear good old creature.” | He suited the action to the word with regard to the money, and Mother Franklin, taking it up, was evidently much rejoiced at so unexpected a present. ‘‘ Where’s Mrs. Young gone? ”’ asked the Hangman. “TI don’t know,” was the response. ‘‘ She’s on’y just stepped out a bit.” ‘“‘ Well, it struck me I saw her just now,’’ remarked the Hangman, assuming a careless tone and look, “ and I thought that the Buttoner was with her.’’ The statement he thus made was false, but he spoke in this manner in order to see what effect the mention of the | Buttoner’s name would have upon Mother Franklin. “Very likely,” she answered, taking another pinch of snuff. “Oh, then the Buttoner has turned up again? ”’ said the Hangman. ‘I have not seen him this long while. Where’s he been? ”’ “IT am sure I don’t. know,” rejoined Mother Franklin, somewhat roughly, and she again looked very hard at the public executioner, as if to ascertain whether he had any sinister object in putting these questions. ‘‘ Ah! but I happen to know,” proceeded Coffin, observing how she regarded him, and fully comprehending the nature of her scrutiny, so that his suspicion of something being (C(O) nn) GDoOo Sai in